Sunday, September 21, 2014

Craft Barn's 19th Quotes and/or Lyrics

For the 19th Craft Barn's Quotes and/or Lyrics Challenge, the words this fortnight are Patience and Better.

Before I get to my entry, I want to begin by apologizing to Fiona SPAIN, not Fiona who LIVES in Spain.  Somehow, I have managed to mess that up, and for that, Fiona, I apologize immensely.  Even though I can't leave you comments, I still visit each time to ooh and ahh over your entry.  But you are not alone, Fiona.  I can't leave comments to those on Flickr or Facebook, either.

Second, Kaybee asked me how I managed to finish my challenges so quickly.  To begin, although I live in America, I have a tendency to keep similar hours as those of my counterparts across the pond.  As soon as I learn the words, I find a quote or lyric that I have materials, products, or supplies for.  I've had to dismiss perfectly good (and maybe even better than I settled for) quotes or lyrics because I had no way to represent them in my art.  So, the wording always comes first for me.

Third, Scrapmate asked if I was going to put all my file folders together.  I have two entries on each file folder, the odd numbers are on the front , and the even on the back.  Once both sides have been completed, they go in a three ring file folder in order.

Fourth (are you tired of reading without seeing any art?), is anyone really ready for Christmas?  Well, get ready because this is my 19th entry.

As soon as I saw the words, I knew exactly what I was going to make.  Nothing fancy, no 3-D embellishments, no ribbon, no texture.  I guess it's because I can't seem to get my head around Christmas when we haven't even celebrated Halloween.

But since all the DTs had used the word Patience, Better became my word of choice.  I began by running my file folder through my printer.  This workhorse I've had since 2000 takes on anything I run through it.  Then I sealed the ink using fixative.  After the fixative was dry, I spritzed two of my handmade shimmering mists on the file folder and allowed them to dry.

I'm not a very good stamper, and this was a hit or miss situation, when I framed the lyrics in a Christmas ornament.  I added the challenge number on the bottom three.

I was really worried about Santa, because I had only one shot to get it right.  Have I not mentioned I'm just learning to stamp?  Could have been better, but at least you can make out the image.

This is considered a Christmas carol and, according to Wikipedia:
It was written by John Frederick Coots and Haven Gillespie and was first sung on Eddie Cantor's radio show in November 1934. It became an instant hit with orders for 100,000 copies of sheet music and more than 30,000 records sold within 24 hours.   
Thanks as always for your continued support of my efforts.  I greatly appreciate it, because it means a lot to me.  And, as always, I'll be around to visit, even if it's in the final hours of the challenge.

30 thoughtful remarks:

froebelsternchen said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
froebelsternchen said...

No wonder why you can't see Santa Clearly ... way too soon for him!

But otherwise we should carry CHRISTMAS the whole year in our hearts ...
I like your file folder page Elizabeth!

This printer seems to be a really great one... wow!

A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS SUNDAY in September to you dear Elizabeth!

Julia Dunnit said...

Ah, I can totally see 'better'...but I originally thought you had chosen patience. Loving the handmade spritzes..so useful.

TwinkleToes2day said...

It's never too early to craft for Christmas, imo :D I love your choice of images and lyrics Elizabeth :D
Now I need to try and get to the craft barn via your link here as it's not working from their actual blog - again.
Have a lovely week ahead :o) (hugs)

Rebeca Trevino said...

no i understand how you can get SO MUCH ART WORK done in in week, while it takes me WEEKs to finish one piece . . . your are so organized!

BTW i do love the colors in this piece, even though xmas is not even on my radar (for at least another 2 months)YIKES!


Helen said...

was out today again so although I saw the words, have had no chance to have a go yet, hope to soon! Love your choice today.

Cindy McMath said...

Elizabeth - I can't believe I haven't visited your blog all week! I know I've missed a ton of stuff so today is catch-up day. I'm working backward until I get to something I've already seen. LOVE this page! There was a bunch of Christmas stuff at Michael's yesterday wehn I was there AND Halloween of course, so you're not too early. Your stamping is great - it does not need to be "perfect" in fact unless I'm making a "stamped card" I'd rather it turn out a little more organic. I'm in awe of your sprays too!

505whimsygirl said...

Hi Elizabeth,

Yikes - Christmas?!? Weeks ago I was in Hobby Lobby and totally shocked to see Christmas on fully display!

Hmm, would fixative make Shimmering Mists permanent? I need to experiment....

Your stamping is coming along just fine, by the way.

Hugs,
Kay

Anonymous said...

Sweet. I could not imagine being in an industry that creates Christmas in July. I would hate Christmas by the time it arrived. xox

massofhair said...

NEVER TOO EARLY TO MAKE CHRISTMAS cards Elizabeth imho, makes a change & less stress when needing a number of cards all at once. I like to space them out over the year...

Wonderful file folder, great colours & images. Good luck with your stamping, looks good so far. Hope you don't mind a tip... use a mouse mat or similar under the card you are stamping onto this helps the ink and image onto the card stock a little sharper.

Fantastic quote, am singing along with you lol:-) xxx

Karla B said...

Beautiful, my friend. Christmas is not so far!Time flies!

Dianne said...

I am not ready for Christmas yet! although I know a lot of people are counting down already...love the subtle colors in your piece...

Carol said...

No way am I ready to think of Christmas!!! I'm still pouting over the fact that summer really is over :( Do like what you've done though.

massofhair said...

Hi Elizabeth, Stazon is the most difficult ink to stamp with & to clean off from your stamps. I would recommend Versacraft ink pads, these marvellous pads go onto lots of different mediums including fabric, wood paper and more. You heat set them for permanence. If you Google them you will see how versatile they are. Other ink pad to use are Archival from Ranger, again multi use. If you are on a budget like me i need ink pads that will multi task.

File folders are quite thick aren't they, other thing to do is stand up and apply pressure that way if possible.

Finally do you use post it notes to mask your stamped image. You stamp first then cover with post it then spray over the top. No contamination from any layers underneath.

If you want to stamp over something that can leave residue seal it first with a cheap hairspray then stamp over that layer.

If i am telling you things you already know please forgive me & ignore this comment :-) xxx

Katy said...

This is an awesome file folder! I love the soft colors and the lyrics that you chose. I like your Santa stamp too! :) Thank you so much for stopping by my blog! :) Have a great day! :)

kaybee said...

Noooooo not Christmas! (only joking!) Love that subtle coloured background, and I know I've going to have that song with me all day now!

pearshapedcrafting said...

Oooooh! Not Christmas! I had all good intentions but just can't do it yet! Love this though! Santa looks magical - but of course!! Chrisxx

Unknown said...

Lovely page, but....Christmas! However it never too early.

Elaine said...

Love your art this week and a great choice of words. The only problem is I'm now singing Christmas songs!!

Carol said...

Great first attempt at stamping x
Love it - the kids always keep me informed as to how many days is it until Christmas xx great file page have a lovely evening :)

Craftymoose Crafts said...

This is brilliant! Beautiful in its simplicity. I haven't done mine yet, but I have collected the quotes in the pot that is my brain. They're still simmering, Ha Ha!

Craftyfield said...

Lovely page and yes, time for Christmas card making! I have been procrastinated but now I have to get on with it!
I'll second what Massofhair said about the inks, I also like Versacraft for its versatility. If you can't find these, then Brilliance ink is also a multi-tasker and I have used the black Brilliance ink for years before investing in Archival and Versafine inks.

Scrapmate said...

Thanks for answering my query. You'll have a great collection to look back through. With stamping t 's all about practice and also make sure you have an even surface with a bit of give to stamp on. I love your chosen lyric.

Unknown said...

Love it and the song. We start our christmas prep in September and I have a lot of projects lined up for my craft group to get through this year, so this is not too early me lol.

Silvia(Barnie) said...

A great page ... and no, I'm not ready for Christmas :D

lena-dailyscrap said...

This one really got me singing! Lovely page, but I m not ready for St Nicolaus :-)

Lesley said...

A wonderful page! I just love the song and I am quite happy to be singing along! xx

Anonymous said...

Not early for me at all I've made a start on the grandchildren's advent calendars!!!!
Fabulous piece and your stamping is getting 'better' each time :)

thassos456 said...

I'm quite late with commenting, sorry. :) Love your xmas page. It's never too early for christmas imho :)

maggie said...

Well you live and learn! I didn't know you could "fix" printer ink. I will have to experiment as too many times I have smudged wording when applying Distress Ink.

We both chose the same lyric but our pieces are so different. That's a super background for your stamping.